This course is designed to provide students with better
understandings of politics of three different countries in Northeast Asia: the
People’s Republic of China (China), Japan and the Republic of Korea (Korea). It
also aims to develop students’ analytical skills to get a deeper grasp of each
country’s past and present. Each country has had unique historical paths and
the first several class hours will be devoted to discussion of such different
historical paths, focusing on crucial events that have shaped each country’s
political, social and economic life. Then students learn and discuss the
following elements of each country’s government and politics: political
institutions, political culture, political economy and sources of domestic conflict.
In the course, students are expected to be able to distinguish the differences
as well as similarities between these three countries’ political systems.

Course Policies and Requirements

1. Readings

The textbook is available at the
bookstore. There is not title of the book since it is a course pack specially
created for this POLS 372. The title of the course and the instructor’s name is
on the book cover. There will be extra assigned readings and you can download
articles or book chapters from the course’s online reserve address that will be
given to students on the first day of the semester.

Students are required to read the
textbook and assigned works before arriving in class so that they can
contribute to class discussion, participate in active learning and better
understand the lectures.

2. Videos

If time and scheduling permit, I
will show some videos on course-related topics. They are not “blow-off”
classes; indeed, some exam questions will be based on audiovisual materials.
Instructor might give students short opinion paper (1-2page) assignment.

3. Attendance and Participation (15% of the course grade)

Attendance in this class is mandatory. After four
absences without prior notice, a half letter grade will be deducted from
your course grade each day you miss the class. Therefore, good attendance is very crucial. Walkout from the
classroom before the class is dismissed will be considered as absence.

In general, relevant in-class participation will be evaluated
according to the following scale.

A= regular and thoughtful participation

B= occasional and thoughtful participation

C= regular attendance, but little or no participation

D= less than regular attendance

F= little or no attendance

When you have questions, it means your classmates might have
similar questions too, so don’t be afraid of raising your hands and ask
questions.

There will be two in class exams in this course, and the
final exam is not cumulative and will be based on the material from the second
half of the course. Each exam is a combination of multiple choice, short definition
and essay questions. In essay sections, you will have choices. No make-up
exams will be given, except in cases of emergency, as defined by the
instructor, and with written notification.

5.Term Paper (20 % of the course grade)

Students are supposed to write a college level, analytical paper
on the politics of China, Japan and South Korea. This is maximum 7-8 page paper
(word processed and double spaced), excluding the bibliography and citations.
The paper should have proper citations and bibliography. For topics and ideas for
the paper, students are encouraged to talk to the instructor beforehand. On March 2, a one-page topic proposal is
due. The final draft of the paper is due on April 27. Since students will have had several weeks to complete
their work, late papers will not be
accepted. For general guidelines and advice to write a good paper, go to: http://www.charleslipson.com/courses/Grumpy-but-Useful-Advice-for-Theses.htm.

Term Paper Guidelines Summary

1)You must use correct citations for your paper. Student may
choose the specific style, but it must be an accepted and widely used one (APA,
MLA, etc.).Plagiarism is when you use
someone else’s words or ideas without attributing the proper source. (Refer to
undergraduate catalogue) Feel free to use someone else’s words, concepts, and
arguments, but make sure that anything that you cite from the literature or
anything that is not yours must be properly footnoted.

2)It will be helpful to search the Internet for references. But
your main sources of citation must be academic journals and books. Article
First in the library database is the best place to start your search.

3)Your topic proposal should address the following questions: What
is the paper topic? What is your research question? Why are you choosing this
question? How should this question be addressed? What are the major sources for
your research?

6. Journals (15% of the course grade)

Starting from January 24, each student is supposed to read two
articles (per week) from sources as the New York Times, the
Washington Post or any other newspapers from the three countries. Students
should summarize and analyze each article in a paragraph (approximately 150-200
words). Journals will be collected twice during the semester on March 9 and May.The first collection should only include
articles on Chinese politics, society and economy. The second collection should
include articles on Japan and Korea. Students can find various newspapers of
each country at: http://www.ipl.org/div/news.
Failure to submit the journal on the due date will result in reduction of half
letter grade per day for this assignment. I expect students to keep their
journal regularly, so students might be called upon at the beginning of the
class to talk briefly about the articles that they have read. This expectation will
keep the class updated with current events of the three countries.

Your instructor is committed to the principle of active learning.
This means that learning cannot take place without students’ active involvement
in, commitment to, and responsibility for their own education. Hence, it is
important that students conduct themselves in ways that indicate respect for
the learning community and the learning process. During lecture segments,
please raise your hand if you have a question. However, be less formal during
class discussions, so long as we remember to treat one another with common
courtesy. Respect for the learning community precludes such behavior as
persistent tardiness (arriving after one third of the class period is over is
considered as an absence), leaving the room during class time, falling asleep,
reading newspaper, using cell phones or other electronic devices, talking in
class and studying for another class. NIU policies regarding classroom conduct
are discussed in the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog.

9. Incompletes

Noincompletes
will be extended for reasons other than a medical or personal emergency and then
after presentation of verifiable documentation from a medical professionals or
a university official. Academic hardship does not qualify as an acceptable
excuse.

10. Extra Credit

Extra credit assignments will not be given on an individual
basis to raise final course grade. Like makeup exams, such projects raise
serious questions of equality. If such a project is made available, every
member of the class will be given the opportunity to complete it.

11. Academic
Integrity

Students are expected to know and comply with NIU policies
on academic integrity (See undergraduate catalog). Any student found guilty of
cheating or plagiarizing will receive an “F” for the course.

12. Statement
Concerning Students with Disabilities

Under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making
reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those
students with disabilities that may have some impact on their coursework and
for which they may require accommodations should notify the Center for
Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the Health Services
Building. CAAR will assist students in making appropriate accommodations with
course instructors. It is important that CAAR and instructors be informed of
any disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the semester.

13. Department of
Political Science Web Site

Undergraduates
are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site
on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist
students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and
syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking
department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs
and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu

14. Undergraduate
Writing Awards

The
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political
science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty,
must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by February 28. All
copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and one
without the student’s name. Only papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the
award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible
for the following year’s competition even if the student has graduated.